Dine Out Vancouver 2008 - A Kettle of Fish

Founded in 1979 by Glenn and Gwen Anderson and Glenn’s sons Riley and Todd, “The Kettle” is where people in Vancouver take their out of town guests for Vancouver’s finest Ocean Wise seafood.

The restaurant is unique in that its interior looks like an outdoor garden. There are full size trees and plants and a black painted ceiling to give the illusion that you’re dining outside at night. The lush greenery give the kettle a very interment feel even though the restaurant is very big by fine dining standards.

Spot Prawn Salad

Dinner started with a spot prawn salad with avocado, grape tomato and a honey balsamic vinaigrette. It was an awesome opener and the vinaigrette used for the salad was very good.

Pan Seared Scallop

The menu actually said pan seared scallops but there was only one. It was served with slow braised puy lentils, lardons, walnuts and a proscuitto crsip to add a bit of saltiness. I really like presentation and it tasted even better than it look.

West Coast Cioppino

West Coast Cioppino is a hot pot of Dungeness crab legs, scallop, prawn, Salt Spring Island mussel and a medley of seasonal fishes all served with a tomato, white wine and garlic sauce. This was a very interesting dish in that it mixed some very complex favors together. Also, the serving size was quite large for a Dine Out Vancouver menu.

Pork Rack

The Kettle calls it a pork rack but it looks like a pork chop. The rack was served on a bed of bean cassoulett, wild mushrooms with white truffle infused natural jus. I had it paired with a glass of Red Rooster Pinot Noir.

Again, I was surprised by the serving size. I ordered pork at The Observatory and all I got was four thinly sliced pieces of meat. The Kettle gave me the full rack. It was easily one of the best pork chops I’ve ever tasted. So tender and juicy.

Vanilla Pot de Creme

Sarah and I both like this dessert very much. It was served with a house made oatmeal cookie that you can use for dipping or just eat it whole. I had the pot de creme paired with a glass of 1999 Paradise Ranch Chardonnay ice wine. The wine was sweeter than the dessert and the two went extremely well together. The only thing bad about the wine was the price - $11.95 for 2oz.

Dinner for two came to $110 with tax, tip and drinks. Overall, I’m very pleased with the level of food and service at A Kettle of Fish and will dine there again. And I’ll be sure to bring some out of town friends.